Upcoming Agenda:
Committee of the Whole Meeting: Monday, November 10, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2025-11-10_COW_Agenda
Location: 1st floor Board Room, Catholic Education Centre, 35 Weber Street, Kitchener
With snow in the forecast this Sunday, we want to remind families and staff where to find the most up-to-date information about school bus delays or school closures due to inclement weather.
The safety of students and staff is our top priority. When weather conditions take a turn, decisions about delays and cancellations are made carefully in collaboration with our transportation partners.
To help you stay informed, visit:
🔗 www.wcdsb.ca/delays-cancellations
This page includes:
We encourage all families to review the information in advance. Planning ahead helps ensure a safe and smooth start to the school day, no matter what the forecast brings.
St. Dominic Savio Catholic Elementary School recently celebrated a major milestone: 25 years of faith-filled education and community spirit.
The afternoon began with a special address from founding principal Garry Mahn, who reflected on the school’s early days, shared how St. Dominic Savio received its name, and reminded the community of the importance of staying rooted in faith as the school continues to grow.
The celebration continued with a beautiful commemorative Mass in the school gymnasium, presided over by His Excellency, Bishop Douglas Crosby, along with Father Roque of St. Mark Parish and Deacon Philip Fernandez. Students, staff, alumni, families, and friends were joined by members of the Board of Trustees, senior administration, and Director of Education Annalisa Varano, who shared her heartfelt congratulations with the school community.
A highlight of the liturgy was Bishop Crosby’s presentation of The Saint John’s Bible — a symbolic gift to the school in his name that will be cherished for generations to come. The ceremony also featured moving music from the school choir, expressions of gratitude from students, and the long-awaited re-lighting of the crucifix at the front of the school, glowing once again for the first time in over 15 years as a powerful symbol of Catholic identity.
Following the Mass, guests gathered in the Learning Commons to reconnect, tour the school, and enjoy a display of photos, memorabilia, and artifacts showcasing the rich 25-year history of the St. Dominic Savio community.
Sincere thanks are extended to Bishop Crosby, Father Roque, Deacon Fernandez, and Monsignor Murray Kroetch for their spiritual leadership, and to the school choir and chaplain Andrew Zettel for their beautiful contributions to the day’s celebrations.
Congratulations to the entire St. Dominic Savio School community on 25 wonderful years. May the next chapter be filled with continued faith, excellence, and joyful learning.
We are pleased to share that our new Grade 7–12 Catholic school, set to open in September 2026, has officially received a name.
Following a survey of the school communities, the new school will be called Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School.
Students and parents interested in learning more about Notre Dame CSS are invited to drop in at an open house at the Stanley Park Community Centre (505 Franklin St. N) on Monday, November 17, anytime between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Thank you to everyone who helped bring this next chapter to life. We can’t wait to build something beautiful together.
*Read more about Notre Dame CSS: Welcome to Notre Dame!
*Complete this Student and Parent Questionnaire to sign up for email updates and submit questions ahead of upcoming school information sessions.
Upcoming Agenda:
Board of Trustees Meeting: Monday, October 27, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2025-10-27_Board-of-Trustee Agenda
Location: 1st floor Board Room, Catholic Education Centre, 35 Weber Street, Kitchener
General Information About WCDSB Board Meetings
Information About the Board of Trustees
It was a home run of a day at St. Teresa of Avila Elementary School in Elmira as students, staff, and families came together to celebrate Blue Jays Day, a fun-filled event that showcased the strength and generosity of the local community.
The schoolyard was a sea of blue as students proudly wore their Toronto Blue Jays gear, showing both school and team spirit. The celebration featured a special lunch with food generously donated by Foodland Elmira, the community’s local grocery store.
Parents volunteered their time to prepare and serve the meal, creating a true community feast. Ballpark classics were served, adding to the fun and festive spirit of the day.
Principal Jennifer Drinkwater said that although she has only been part of the St. Teresa community for a short time, she already feels the warmth and spirit that make the school such a special place. “It’s incredible to see how everyone comes together, from local businesses to our amazing families, to support our students and make days like this so meaningful,” she said.
The event captured the best of St. Teresa’s school spirit: a community rooted in kindness, service, and joy.
As we move through another vibrant and joy-filled school year, it’s easy to get swept up in the flurry of activity that fills our classrooms, hallways, and hearts. Thanksgiving gives us a moment to pause – to breathe, to reflect, and to give thanks for all that we have and all that we share as a community.
On Friday, as a full staff from our schools and offices, we gathered for a Spiritual Development Day- a time to celebrate, connect, and renew our shared commitment to living out our faith through our actions. We were especially blessed to welcome Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, whose reflections on truth and reconciliation invited us to think deeply about the land we are privileged to inhabit and the relationships we are called to nurture. His words reminded us that gratitude and reconciliation go hand in hand: both grounded in respect, understanding, and care for one another.
I am profoundly grateful to walk this journey of faith alongside you and your families. Through my school visits this fall, I have witnessed the incredible partnership between home and school that makes our Catholic community so strong. Your children arrive each day ready to learn, grow, and live out their faith – a testament to the values you nurture at home and the trust you place in us as educators.
Thank you for choosing Catholic education and for welcoming us into the sacred work of accompanying your children on their faith journey. It is a privilege we do not take lightly. Whether celebrating milestones, navigating challenges, or simply sharing in the everyday moments of school life, we are honoured to partner with you in creating communities where Christ’s love is made visible and where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.
On this Thanksgiving weekend, may we take time to listen with open ears, minds, and hearts, just as this year’s Pastoral Plan calls us to do. Let us listen to the stories around us – those of family, friends, and community – and find gratitude in both the joys and the challenges that shape our shared journey of faith.
From all of us at the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, we wish you and your families a restful and grace-filled Thanksgiving. May your weekend be filled with peace, reflection, and the warmth of connection.
With gratitude and faith,
Annalisa Varano
Director of Education
Upcoming Agenda:
Committee of the Whole Meeting: Monday, October 6, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2025-10-06_COW_Agenda
Location: 1st floor Board Room, Catholic Education Centre, 35 Weber Street, Kitchener
Upcoming Agenda:
Board of Trustees Meeting: Monday, September 22, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2025-09-22_Board-of-Trustee Agenda
Location: 1st floor Board Room, Catholic Education Centre, 35 Weber Street, Kitchener
Upcoming Agenda:
Special Board of Trustees Meeting: Monday, September 8, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. – Agenda: 2025-09-08_Special-Board-of-Trustee_Agenda
Committee of the Whole Meeting: Monday, September 8, 2025 following Special Board – Agenda: 2025-09-08_COW_Agenda
Location: 1st floor Board Room, Catholic Education Centre, 35 Weber Street, Kitchener
